12 August 2014

Positive Reporting Addendum

Last Friday’s blog post, Reporting Exercise Research, suggested that media reports should be more positive to encourage their readers or at least make them happy. Even if you weren’t around in the 1940s when the song came out, you’ve probably heard "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer.

Today’s addendum offers links to a more-or-less chronological sample of the many that have performed the song over the years. You might listen to one or compare a few. At the moment, I’m kind of partial to Ella Fitzgerald’s and Dr. John’s versions. Contrary to what I was sure I remembered, the song was not used in any Disney animated feature. (A link to the lyrics is appended.)

Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters recorded the song on December 8, 1944. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZUmAbi0Vm4) That year, he also sang it with Sonny Tufts (both in blackface no less) in the movie, Here Come the Waves, for which it was a 1945 academy award nominee for best song.

Here’s a recording of Louis Armstrong and his orchestra performing the song live at New York City’s nightclub Zanzibar on New Year’s Eve, 1945. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC7DO-luqYw)